The Prime Minister has announced a set of reforms designed to help young people gain the skills needed for tomorrow’s job market. These changes will strengthen the education and skills system and open up more opportunities for learners across the country and also the government has set a major new target.Two-thirds of young people should take part in higher-level learning by age 25.This includes university courses, higher technical qualifications and apprenticeships.A second target aims to increase the number of young people completing higher technical education or apprenticeships and by 2040, at least 10% of young people should reach this level, almost double today’s figure.Schools will have a bigger role in helping pupils plan their next steps after age 16.
Every student should have a clear progression route. A new system is being tested to guarantee a place at a college or further education provider if a young person needs it

Fourteen new Technical Excellence Colleges will open to support key growth areas such as digital technology, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
These colleges are designed to give young people access to high-quality training linked to the jobs of the future.
They build on earlier plans for specialist centres in construction and defence.The reforms place a strong focus on quality.Students who have not passed GCSE English and maths will receive at least 100 hours of face-to-face teaching in these subjects.Colleges will get extra funding and training so teachers are well supported.
A new Ofsted framework will help raise standards across the sector.Regional Improvement Teams will work with colleges to improve performance and ensure courses meet the skills needs of local communities.

A Simpler System for Higher-Level Skills

A single funding model will be introduced for all courses at Levels 4–6.
Both further education and higher education will be regulated by the Office for Students.
Providers that offer higher technical courses will gain new awarding powers, making it easier for them to design and deliver programmes aligned to industry needs.

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement will give learners access to student finance for higher-level study, including flexible modular courses.

The government will invest almost £800 million in funding for 16–19-year-olds in 2026–27.This investment will support around 20,000 additional students and expand access to high-quality education.The reforms also follow the return of targeted, means tested maintenance grants.
These grants will help more young people from low-income backgrounds succeed in college and university.

A new Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper will set out further recommendations on qualifications.
These will be informed by the recent curriculum and assessment review.

Source:Gov.Uk